by Luke Sills

As Jesus entered His final days before the cross, He was confronted by a group known as the Sadducees. They came with a tricky question designed to trap Him (Matthew 22:23–33). But in His response, Jesus gave one of the greatest assurances in all of Scripture: there is a resurrection.

That truth changes everything. This life is not the end. Death does not get the final word. And the hope of the resurrection transforms not only our future but also how we live today.

The World Will Deny the Resurrection

The Sadducees were religious leaders who based their beliefs only on the first five books of the Old Testament (the Torah). Because they did not see explicit teaching about resurrection there, they rejected the idea altogether.

So they posed Jesus a word-problem-like riddle: a woman married seven brothers in succession, each dying without children. “In the resurrection,” they asked, “whose wife will she be?”

Their aim was not sincere curiosity but to ridicule the idea of life after death. And in that, they reflect the spirit of our age. Many today still insist this life is all there is. Death, they claim, is final.

But Jesus refused their trap. He exposed their misunderstanding: “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (v. 29).

The Bible Speaks of the Resurrection

Jesus reminded them that resurrection life is not just an extension of earthly existence. Marriage, family structures, and earthly institutions do not define eternity. Instead, our resurrected lives will resemble the angels—not in nature, but in the fact that we will live in perfect fellowship with God, beyond the limitations of earthly relationships.

Scripture affirms this hope over and over:

• “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise” (Isaiah 26:19).
• “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” (Daniel 12:2).
• “After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26).

And strikingly, Jesus didn’t appeal to those passages. He used the very authority the Sadducees claimed to respect: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). Not “I was”—I am. The patriarchs live on, because God is the God of the living.

We Are Astonished Because of the Resurrection

The crowd listening to Jesus was astonished. And they should have been. If God is the God of the living, then death is not the end. Cemeteries are not permanent. Grief is not forever.

The resurrection of Jesus proves it. Just days after this exchange, He was crucified and buried. But on the third day, He rose again—never to die again. That moment astonished the guards, the women at the tomb, the disciples, and eventually the world.

And it still ought to astonish us today. The resurrection is not just a doctrine; it is the defining event of history. It means Jesus has power over the grave, and that His victory guarantees ours. As Paul says, Christ is the “firstfruits” of those who belong to Him (1 Corinthians 15:20). His empty tomb is the down payment on ours.

Living With Resurrection Hope

If the grave could not hold Jesus, it cannot hold those who trust in Him. That changes how we live:

• We grieve with hope, knowing death is temporary.
• We face trials with confidence, knowing eternity is secure.
• We live with awe and gratitude, knowing God’s love is greater than death itself.

John 3:16 reminds us why this matters: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

That is resurrection hope. And that hope should never cease to amaze us.

Conclusion

Like my daughter Olivia says when she sees something that fills her with wonder: “Wow, that cool.” That childlike amazement is exactly how we should respond to the resurrection.

Don’t treat it as a mere doctrine. Don’t let it become familiar. Instead, let the astonishing truth of the resurrection shape your daily life. Because Jesus lives, we too shall live. And that hope changes everything.

By Luke Sills

As Christians, we live in a unique tension: we are citizens of both the earthly kingdoms of this world and the eternal kingdom of God. Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:15–22 remind us that while we must give proper respect and obedience to earthly authorities, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God.

The Trap of the World

In Matthew’s account, the Pharisees and Herodians came together to trap Jesus with a loaded question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v. 17). This was no harmless inquiry. If Jesus said “yes,” the Jewish people—already weary of Roman oppression—would see Him as a traitor. If He said “no,” He could be accused of treason against Rome.

The very alliance between the Pharisees and Herodians reveals the world’s schemes. The Pharisees despised Roman rule, while the Herodians benefited from it. Yet, they joined forces against a common enemy: Jesus. Their goal was not truth but entrapment.

The world still operates this way today. Different voices, agendas, and powers may clash with each other, but they often unite in opposition to Christ and His Word. As followers of Jesus, we must recognize that traps still exist—temptations, compromises, and cultural pressures designed to draw us away from God.

The Hypocrisy of the World

When Jesus asked to see the coin used for the tax, His opponents handed Him a denarius. On it was the image of Caesar, along with inscriptions claiming divine status. The very presence of that coin in the temple exposed their hypocrisy. They claimed to honor God while carrying around tokens of idolatry.

Jesus’ response cut through their act: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (v. 21). In one sentence, He avoided their trap and exposed their duplicity. They sought to mask their intentions with flattery and false respect, but Jesus saw their hearts.

The same danger exists for us. Hypocrisy is not just for the Pharisees—it’s a temptation for every believer. We can say one thing while living another, honor God with our lips while carrying “Caesar’s coin” in our pockets. Jesus’ words remind us that true worship demands integrity and wholehearted devotion.

Living in the World, Serving God

Jesus’ answer also provides a framework for how Christians are to live. We are called to honor legitimate earthly authority—paying taxes, obeying laws, and respecting leaders. As Paul wrote in Romans 13:1–7, governing authorities are “God’s servants” to maintain order. Peter likewise urged believers to “honor everyone… fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

Yet our obedience is not blind. If earthly authority ever demands what belongs to God—our worship, our conscience, or our obedience to His Word—we must echo the apostles’ conviction: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29).

This balance requires wisdom. Like traffic signs on the road, laws are meant to protect and guide. But if a sign directed you off a cliff, you would not follow it. In the same way, Christians can and should be the best citizens possible—while always remembering that their true citizenship is in heaven.

What Belongs to God

The coin bore Caesar’s image, but humanity bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27). That means our very lives belong to Him. To render to God what is God’s means worshiping Him above all else (John 4:24), living holy lives that reflect His character (Romans 12:1–2), obeying Him even when culture disagrees (Acts 4:19), and dying daily to self in order to follow Christ (Luke 9:23).

Giving to God is not just about finances, though it includes faithfulness in offerings and tithes (Malachi 3:10). It’s about surrendering every part of our lives—our hearts, our decisions, our time, and our allegiance.

Our Plea Today

Dr. R.C. Sproul once noted that in Rome, citizens were required to declare, “Caesar is Lord.” But the early church refused, confessing instead, “Jesus is Lord.” That refusal cost many their lives, yet it preserved their souls.

The call for us today is the same. The world will try to trap us with compromises and distractions. It will dangle false measures of success—money, power, influence. But true success in God’s eyes is faithfulness, humility, and obedience.

So, let us live in the world but not of it. Let us honor authorities without idolizing them. Let us carry Caesar’s coin in our pocket, but God’s image in our soul. And above all, let us give to God what is His—our worship, our trust, and our lives.

By Luke Sills

When you think about Christianity, many words come to mind—faith, hope, love. Yet there is one word you cannot leave out: grace. Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion. In a world where people strive to earn acceptance, the message of the gospel is radically different. Salvation cannot be bought or earned; it is a gift, freely given by God.

Yet tragically, many people miss the invitation of grace. Jesus illustrated this in one of His most striking parables—the parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1–14).

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son…”

In this story, a king sends out invitations to a wedding banquet. But those who were invited make excuses. Some are indifferent—too busy with their fields and businesses. Others are hostile, mistreating and even killing the messengers. In response, the king judges them and opens the invitation to others—the poor, the outcast, the ones no one expected. Still, not everyone who enters the feast belongs, as one guest is thrown out for not wearing the proper wedding garment. Jesus concludes with sobering words: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This parable gives us three powerful lessons about the invitation of grace.

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1. Rejecting Christ Brings Judgment

The first group of guests missed the banquet not because they didn’t know about it, but because they ignored it. Their ordinary routines mattered more than the king’s extraordinary invitation. That same danger exists today.

We live in a world where busyness keeps people from hearing the gospel. Like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, many rush through life declaring, “I’m late! I’m late! No time to say hello—goodbye!” They are too busy to notice that God Himself is calling them to a feast.

Others respond with hostility. History is full of examples—prophets rejected, apostles beaten, believers martyred. Even today, some of the strongest opposition to the gospel comes not from atheists but from religious elites who scorn the simplicity of grace.

But ignoring or rejecting Christ has consequences. Just as Jerusalem fell under Roman judgment in A.D. 70—fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy—not one person who rejects the Son will escape God’s justice. Grace is free, but it is not to be treated lightly.

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2. God’s Grace Reaches Beyond Borders

Here is the beauty of the story: when the original guests refuse to come, the king tells his servants, “Go to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” The invitation expands beyond Israel to the nations—to the highways and hedges of the world.

That is how the gospel reached us. Grace crossed borders, broke through cultural walls, and extended to “the good and the bad.”

One powerful example is the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Philip, led by the Spirit, explained the Scriptures to him and preached Christ. The eunuch believed, was baptized, and “went on his way rejoicing.” Grace reached him on a desert road—and through him, it spread even further.

This is the heart of the gospel: God’s invitation is not for one people only. It is for all.

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3. God’s Grace Makes Us New

The parable ends with a man cast out of the feast for not wearing a wedding garment. At first glance, that seems harsh. But Jesus was making a crucial point: while the invitation is free, entering the kingdom requires transformation.

Different theologians have debated what the “wedding garment” represents—faith, baptism, righteousness, or holy living. Perhaps it is intentionally broad. The truth is, grace does not leave us as we are. To come to Christ is to be made new.

As Paul writes, believers are called to “put off the old self” and “put on the new self” (Colossians 3). True faith produces holiness, not as the basis of our salvation but as the evidence of it. God’s grace clothes us with Christ Himself—and that changes everything.

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The Invitation Today

Jesus ends the parable with both comfort and warning: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” God’s invitation goes out broadly, but only those who respond in faith and are transformed by His grace will share in the feast.

So the question is this: Have you accepted the invitation?

Grace is not an abstract idea. It is God Himself, extending His hand and saying, “Come to the wedding banquet. Everything is ready.” The cross of Christ is the invitation written in blood, and the resurrection is the guarantee that the feast is real.

One day, the Bridegroom will return. The banquet will begin. The question is not whether the feast is prepared—it already is. The question is whether you will be there, clothed in the grace of Christ, ready to rejoice forever.

By Luke Sills

When Jesus stood in the temple courts in Matthew 21, He told a story that cut to the heart of Israel’s leaders—a story of a vineyard, tenants, and a rejected son. At first glance, it may seem like just another parable. But behind it lies a sobering truth: to reject God’s messengers is ultimately to reject God Himself.

The Parable of the Tenants

Jesus describes a landowner who carefully prepares a vineyard: he plants vines, builds a fence, digs a winepress, and sets up a watchtower. With everything in place, he leases it to tenants and departs. When harvest comes, he sends servants to collect the fruit. But the tenants beat, stone, and kill them. More servants are sent, and the violence repeats. Finally, the landowner sends his son, hoping they will respect him. Instead, they conspire, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.” And so they cast him out and kill him.

The symbolism is unmistakable. The vineyard is Israel. The landowner is God. The tenants are Israel’s leaders, entrusted with the care of God’s people. The servants represent the prophets, who were beaten, mocked, and killed for speaking truth. And the son—of course—is Jesus, whom the leaders would soon reject and crucify.

Jesus’ warning is clear: rejection of God’s servants leads to judgment, and rejection of God’s Son leads to eternal loss.

God’s Patience and Grace

What is striking in this parable is God’s patience. He sends servant after servant, giving opportunity after opportunity to repent. Even after repeated rejection, He sends His beloved Son. This is not a picture of a harsh, impatient ruler—it is a portrait of astonishing grace.

The apostle Peter echoes this heart of God: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

From the prophets of old, to the apostles, to countless witnesses through history, God has never stopped sending messengers into the world with one plea: repent, and believe in Christ.

A Pattern of Rejection

Sadly, history confirms the parable’s pattern. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned after boldly proclaiming Christ (Acts 7). Polycarp, an elderly bishop in the early church, refused to deny his Savior and was burned at the stake. John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English so ordinary people could read God’s Word, only to be condemned as a heretic. Missionary Jim Elliot and four others were speared to death in Ecuador in 1956 for bringing the gospel to an unreached tribe. Even in our own century, believers like Asia Bibi in Pakistan have endured imprisonment and persecution rather than renounce Christ.

The vineyard is still being tended, and the servants are still being sent. Yet often, the world responds the same way—rejecting, mocking, or persecuting those who carry God’s message.

The Cornerstone Rejected

Jesus presses the parable further by quoting Psalm 118: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The leaders may cast Him aside, but God makes Him the very foundation of His kingdom. That stone will either be the rock upon which you build your life—or the stone that crushes you in judgment.

To reject the Son is no small matter. It is the greatest crime in human history, for it was not merely the death of an innocent man, but the rejection of the only One who came to save us. And yet—here lies the wonder of grace—that very rejection became the means of salvation. The death that sinful humanity plotted was the very death by which Christ bore our guilt, so that through His resurrection we might have life.

What Will You Do With Jesus?

The parable leaves us with a searching question: What will you do with God’s Son?

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day wanted the blessings of the kingdom without submitting to the King. Many today still want the hope of heaven without surrendering to Christ’s authority. But Scripture is plain: eternal life belongs only to those who receive the Son in faith.

God is still sending messengers. Perhaps He has sent one into your life—a preacher, a friend, a family member—urging you to turn to Christ. Will you, like the tenants, reject the messenger? Or will you receive the message and bear fruit for the kingdom?

The stone has been set in place. It is marvelous in our eyes. And it demands a response.

Walking the Narrow Path — The Legacy of King Josiah

When we open the pages of Scripture and meet King Josiah, we encounter more than just an ancient ruler—we meet a living example of what it means to pursue God wholeheartedly in a world full of distractions and darkness. Josiah’s story invites us to consider our own journey as believers: Are we walking the narrow path, or have we strayed to the right or to the left?

A King Raised for a Purpose

Josiah became king at just eight years old, inheriting a kingdom steeped in idolatry and rebellion. His father and grandfather had led the people away from God, embracing false gods, occult practices, and horrific sacrifices. It would have been easy for Josiah to follow their example or simply give up in despair. But Scripture tells us something remarkable—Josiah was different.

From a young age, God’s Spirit moved in his heart. His mother, Jedidah, whose name means “beloved of the Lord,” likely played a vital role in guiding him toward the ways of righteousness. Unlike many kings before him, Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He was determined to walk the narrow path—and not just to follow it, but to guard it fiercely.

The Narrow Path: Hard But Worth It

Josiah’s commitment to the narrow path reminds us of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14, where He describes two gates—the wide gate leading to destruction and the narrow gate leading to life. Josiah walked this narrow gate with courage and conviction. He didn’t veer right or left; he followed God’s law with an unwavering heart.

This narrow path is not the easy road. It is one that demands discipline, courage, and daily surrender. Josiah’s example challenges us not to settle for the convenience of the wide road, which the world so often chooses. It calls us to a higher standard—a commitment to live fully for God in a world that pressures us to conform.

Destroying the Idols Within

One of the most striking parts of Josiah’s story is his boldness to destroy the idols scattered throughout Judah and Jerusalem. He didn’t simply warn the people to stop worshipping false gods; he took action. He cut down altars, smashed idols, burned bones of false priests, and cleansed the land. He knew that as long as these idols remained, they would continue to tempt the people back into sin.

What are the idols in our lives today? Unlike the ancient physical idols Josiah destroyed, our idols might be less obvious but no less powerful. They could be things we cherish more than God—our phones, careers, hobbies, sports, comforts, or even good things that become ultimate things. These idols distract us from true devotion.

Josiah’s example calls us to take a hard look at our hearts. What must we destroy to fully follow God? It is a challenging question, but one that leads to spiritual freedom and renewal.

Living Josiah’s Legacy Today

Josiah’s story is not just history; it is a call to action for believers today. We live in a world that often mirrors Josiah’s time—full of darkness, idolatry, and easy distractions. But like Josiah, we can choose to be different. We can choose to pursue God with all our hearts, walk the narrow path without turning aside, and destroy the idols that hinder our faith.

This journey begins with repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. It continues with daily commitment and courageous obedience. Josiah reminds us that walking with God is possible, even when the odds seem stacked against us.

As we begin this study of Josiah, let us open our hearts to God’s transforming work. May his legacy inspire us to be kings and queens of our own lives—ruling with faith, courage, and a heart fully devoted to God.

Encountering the Word — Josiah’s Transforming Discovery

In the midst of a kingdom long plunged into spiritual darkness, King Josiah’s reign stands as a beacon of hope — not because of military might or political alliances, but because of a rediscovered treasure: the Word of God.

The year was 622 BC. Josiah, now twenty-six years old, had already shown himself to be a king after God’s own heart. Having walked the narrow path and destroyed idols, Josiah was now ready for a deeper transformation — a revival rooted in the rediscovery of God’s Law.

The Temple’s Restoration: More Than Bricks and Mortar

Josiah initiated a bold project: the repair and restoration of the temple in Jerusalem. This sacred place had suffered neglect and desecration under previous kings who had led the people astray. Josiah’s leadership was careful and intentional. He ensured that the resources dedicated to rebuilding the temple were handled honestly, reflecting his commitment not just to restoration of stone and wood, but to integrity and faithfulness.

But what Josiah and the people found during this restoration was far greater than physical renewal. They uncovered a scroll — the Book of the Law — a forgotten voice of God that exposed their sin and beckoned them back to Him.

The King’s Reaction: A Heart Broken and Moved

When the Book of the Law was read aloud, Josiah’s response was immediate and powerful. He tore his clothes — a sign of deep grief and repentance. Here was a king overwhelmed by the weight of the people’s unfaithfulness and his own responsibility to lead them back to God.

The Word cut through the complacency and rebellion of Israel. Josiah recognized the gravity of the covenant God had made with His people and the consequences outlined for breaking it. The law was not simply a set of rules; it was a life-giving covenant with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.

The Prophetic Warning: Judgment and Mercy

Seeking clarity, Josiah sent envoys to the prophetess Huldah. Her message was sobering: judgment was coming upon Judah because of their persistent rebellion. Yet, because Josiah’s heart was tender, humble, and repentant, God promised to spare him from witnessing the coming disaster.

Josiah’s humble response to God’s Word secured him peace — a peace that fueled his resolve to lead a national covenant renewal. He gathered the elders, priests, Levites, and all the people to the temple and read the Law to them. Josiah then made a solemn covenant to follow God fully, and he called the nation to join him in this commitment.

Responding Properly to God’s Word

Josiah’s story reveals a profound truth for believers today: encountering God’s Word demands a response. It is not enough to hear or read Scripture; we must be moved by it, repent of sin, and act in obedience.

The Word of God should break our hearts like it broke Josiah’s — not to leave us in despair, but to lead us to hope and transformation. His example challenges us to ask: When was the last time the Word truly grieved you? When did it move you to repentance and renewed devotion?

The Choice Before Us

Like Josiah, we face a choice. The Scriptures declare life and death, blessing and curse. Choosing to love the Lord, obey His voice, and hold fast to Him leads to life—eternal life. Turning away brings judgment.

The gospel, revealed fully in Christ, is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise. Jesus’ death and resurrection offer forgiveness for sin and a restored relationship with God. This message should humble us and motivate us to respond rightly.

Walking Forward in Faith

Josiah’s revival was not just a moment in history; it is a call to each of us. To properly respond to God’s Word is to live under His authority daily, letting it shape our hearts, minds, and actions.

If you are a believer, let Josiah’s example inspire you to embrace Scripture with reverence and obedience. Let it move you to tears, to confession, and to a life fully surrendered to Jesus.

If you have yet to trust Christ, consider Josiah’s story carefully. The Word of God is alive and active, calling you today to repent and believe, to choose life through Jesus Christ.

Reformed — The Commitment and Change of Josiah

In the journey of King Josiah, we witness one of the most remarkable transformations in biblical history. A young king who began his reign with a heart after God, Josiah not only responded to God’s Word but took bold, decisive action to reform his kingdom. His story challenges us today: to be truly reformed is to be committed and changed.

Reform Requires Commitment

After hearing the words of God’s Law, Josiah did not hesitate. He gathered the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, priests, Levites, and many others to the temple — the house of God — and publicly read the Book of the Covenant. This book likely contained the core of the Torah — the first five books of the Bible, which contain God’s commandments, statutes, and testimonies.

Josiah’s public reading was not merely informative; it was a call to collective commitment. Standing by a raised pillar so that all could witness, Josiah made a solemn covenant before God and the people. This was not a half-hearted promise. It was a commitment with all his heart and soul to obey God’s commands and live by the words written in the covenant. The people joined him, pledging to follow the Lord with the same dedication.

This moment was pivotal — reform demands commitment. Josiah’s deep desire was to honor God not only privately but openly, publicly, and corporately. True reform is never a quiet, hidden affair; it is a bold declaration and a lifestyle lived out in community.

Commitment Leads to Change

Josiah’s commitment immediately produced tangible change. He began by purging the temple — the very place of worship — from every trace of idolatry and false religion. Priests who had never served the one true God but instead sacrificed to pagan fertility gods like Baal and Asherah were removed. These gods, imported from Canaanite religion, had replaced the worship of Yahweh and were completely incompatible with God’s holiness.

Josiah’s zeal was fierce and thorough. He destroyed idols, burned them outside Jerusalem, and scattered their ashes over graves to demonstrate their powerlessness even over death. He tore down shrines to false gods, dismantled places of child sacrifice like Topheth, and even removed images and altars that Solomon had once allowed into the temple.

No compromise was made. Josiah’s reform was total.

He extended this cleansing beyond Jerusalem, defiling high places and altars throughout Judah and Samaria, ensuring that no place of idolatrous worship remained. The priests who served these places were put to death, fulfilling the prophecy that had foretold Josiah’s purifying work.

Yet amid his destruction of idols, Josiah showed discernment. He spared the monument of a man of God who had prophesied these very reforms — a testament to honoring God’s messengers even while cleansing the land.

What Can We Learn?

Josiah’s story is a call for all believers today to consider the nature of true reformation.

Are You Committed?

True reform begins with a personal commitment to God. This commitment springs from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ — the only one who can transform hearts and empower change. Without repentance and faith, no lasting reform is possible.

For believers, commitment extends to the local church — the body of Christ where we worship together, encourage one another, serve, and grow. Josiah’s people gathered collectively to covenant before God; so must we be committed to community, gathering faithfully and supporting the mission of God.

Are You Changed?

Josiah’s reform was visible — he removed everything that dishonored God. Likewise, spiritual reformation demands change in our lives. It means identifying and removing idols — whatever takes the place of God’s rightful worship in our hearts and lives.

Idols today might not be carved statues but can be anything from misplaced priorities, unhealthy habits, time-wasters, or anything that diverts our devotion from God.

A practical step is self-examination: What consumes your time, attention, or affection? What might you need to surrender to live fully for God?

The Challenge to Us

Josiah’s example challenges us to be like him — committed and changed. Change your diet, as one pastor put it: feast on Christ’s Word and fast from sinful indulgence. As we feed on Christ, our desire for sin diminishes and our hunger for God grows.

Imagine what transformation could happen in your life and church if we all embraced such commitment and change.

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Josiah’s story is a powerful reminder that reformation is a journey — beginning with a heart fully committed to God, producing deep and lasting change, and culminating in worship that honors God alone.

Are you ready to be reformed? To commit fully? To be changed profoundly? The path is clear. Like Josiah, let us say yes to God’s call and live lives worthy of the gospel we have received.

Proper Worship — The Restoration of the Passover

As we conclude our study of King Josiah, we are struck not only by his heart for God but by his commitment to restoring true worship. Josiah’s restoration of the Passover after more than four centuries of neglect reminds us of what it means to worship God properly. His example calls us to examine our own worship and challenges us to ensure it has the right purpose, right preparation, right people, and right practice.

The Right Purpose for Worship

Josiah’s restoration of the Passover was a historic event. The people of Israel had not properly observed this festival for over 400 years. To understand the significance of Josiah’s actions, we must first understand the original purpose of the Passover.

The Passover was instituted by God during Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. On that night, the Lord struck down every firstborn in Egypt — except in the homes where the blood of the Passover lamb was painted on the doorposts. This act of divine protection was not only a demonstration of God’s judgment on Egypt but also a display of His mercy on His people.

Exodus 12:21-28 captures this beautifully, describing how Moses instructed the people to sacrifice the lamb, apply its blood, and remember this event as a statute forever. The Passover was a memorial of God’s grace — a powerful reminder that God “passed over” the houses of His people and spared them.

Josiah’s purpose in restoring the Passover was to worship the Lord rightly — to remember God’s saving acts and to proclaim His mercy and faithfulness. Likewise, our worship today centers on remembering and celebrating the saving work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Just as the Passover lamb’s blood protected Israel, Jesus’ blood covers believers and grants us forgiveness and life. Our purpose in worship is to proclaim this truth, to bow our hearts before the resurrected King, and to live in the light of His salvation.

The Right Preparation for Worship

Worship does not happen by accident. Josiah’s restoration involved extensive preparation, and ours must too.

The text in 2 Chronicles 35 shows that Josiah personally provided thousands of lambs, goats, and bulls for the sacrifices. Priests, Levites, and many leaders contributed generously. The Ark of the Covenant was placed properly, and meticulous attention was given to every detail to ensure the Passover was celebrated according to God’s commands.

This preparation was necessary to bring about proper worship.

Similarly, every time we gather as a church, countless hours of preparation go on behind the scenes — from cleaning and maintenance to planning sermons, rehearsing music, organizing children’s ministry, and praying. Without this preparation, our worship would falter.

Preparation also extends to our hearts. Proper worship requires personal readiness. Like Josiah, we must prepare by examining our hearts, confessing sin, and coming before God with reverence and humility.

The Right People in Worship

Josiah’s Passover was not a one-man show. The priests, Levites, singers, leaders, and all the people of Israel participated together. Each had a specific role, and everyone’s presence was vital.

The church today is a body, with many parts, each uniquely gifted and essential. Some preach, some sing, some teach, some serve, but all are needed.

Most importantly, the entire congregation — the gathered people of God — must come together to worship.

Your presence matters. Whether you lead, serve, sing, or simply sit and receive, you are part of the worshiping community. Proper worship requires the right people — believers united in one purpose, lifting their voices and hearts to God.

The Right Practice in Worship

Josiah was careful to follow God’s instructions exactly. The Passover lamb was sacrificed on the fourteenth day of the first month, the priests and Levites performed their duties precisely, and the people participated as God commanded.

This was worship done “by the book,” in obedience to God’s Word.

Worship today must be the same. We worship according to Scripture — proclaiming the gospel, singing truth-filled songs, partaking in ordinances like the Lord’s Supper, and living lives that honor God.

The Lord’s Supper, for example, calls for right purpose, preparation, people, and practice. We remember Christ’s death and anticipate His return. We prepare our hearts by confessing sin. Only believers partake. And the ordinance is carried out reverently and according to Christ’s institution.

True worship honors God not just in spirit but in truth.

Responding to the Call for Proper Worship

Josiah’s restoration reminds us to examine our worship:

• Do we worship with the right purpose? Are we coming to honor Jesus for what He has done?
• Are we preparing our hearts and lives to meet God?
• Are we part of the right community — God’s people gathered in unity?
• Are we practicing worship as God has instructed through His Word?

As we reflect on Josiah’s life, we see a model for worship — purposeful, prepared, participatory, and practiced rightly.

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The End of Josiah’s Story and Our Hope

Josiah’s story does not end with the Passover. Soon after, he faced a tragic death in battle (2 Chronicles 35:20-27). His faithfulness was not a guarantee of earthly blessing or long life. Like Josiah, each of us will face the certainty of death and judgment (Hebrews 9:27-28).

But the good news is this: Christ bore our sins once and for all, securing forgiveness and eternal life for those who trust in Him.

Our worship today is rooted in this hope — the Lamb who was sacrificed and the King who will return. Josiah’s faithful worship challenges us to worship with hearts fully committed to God’s glory.

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Will you worship God properly today — with purpose, preparation, people, and practice — as an act of faith in the One who saved you?